this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2026
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[–] TankieTanuki@hexbear.net 10 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

If a hot air balloon can reach low Earth orbit then why are we wasting money on rockets? Just tie those satellites and space station components to a balloon!

[–] buckykat@hexbear.net 10 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I know you're shitposting but I have been nerd-sniped

A) that's basically what weather balloons are

B) orbit isn't a place, it's a speed.

[–] TankieTanuki@hexbear.net 5 points 4 hours ago

I know. I've put 2000 hours in Kerbal Space Program. 🙂

I don't consider the stratosphere, where weather balloons travel, to be space.

[–] Carl@hexbear.net 6 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

This actually exists, although the most you can do with it is fly around and take measurements, no near-space stations.

[–] TankieTanuki@hexbear.net 4 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Buoyancy can't take you out of the atmosphere by principle. The stratosphere is fake space! It's under the Karman line.

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